Tips and Resources

Carolyn is amazing at helping other students with the college application process and making sure that the student's essays are brought to their fullest potential. She took hours out of her schedule making sure that my essays were grammatically correct, unique, and the best they could be. She assisted me with my college essay, 22 supplemental essays, and now scholarship essays. I am so grateful to have Carolyn to assist me with the college process and am excited to be going to Cornell University next year. I am thankful for Carolyn's help in guiding me through the application process. Her recommendation, tips, and edits with my essays helped bring my essays to the next level that helped me get into an ivy league school. I would definitely recommend Carolyn to anyone who needs help with the application process.

~Daniela Makowka

Carolyn is incredibly knowledgeable, and a wonderful person to work with. As a transfer student, she helped me navigate the somewhat unusual process, and we worked together through the logistics as well as the material of the applications. Carolyn is a skilled writer with a gift for editing in a supportive, yet transparent way. She is able to increase the quality of writing and bring up new ideas, while not interfering with the student’s original concept, and all without pressure. Thank you, Carolyn!

~Evan Murphy

Carolyn is the perfect advisor for any higher education application process. She takes the time to help you both enhance your strengths and improve on your weaknesses. She is patient, wise and dedicated. In my senior year of High school she helped me secure my acceptance to my dream school of Cornell University, Class of 2020. Similarly, in my current graduate school application process she has worked with me, editing and improving my written statements while also providing sound advice for the application process as a whole. Thank you Not So Common Application Service!

~Elizabeth Serrano

Carolyn is an excellent writer whose assistance in writing my law school personal statement was such a huge help. She is a pleasure to work with and very easy to communicate with. We first started with a Zoom session where we bounced ideas off of one another and she acted as a sound board to help me to start thinking more creatively and outside the box. Together, we came up with the most perfect topic to write about and from there she assisted in the vocabulary, grammar, and overall structure of my paper. Her turn around time is very quick and together we worked to get the paper done in a timely and efficient manner. I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of assistance, and am so appreciative of all her help!

~Juliette Niglio

Carolyn was a remarkable help to my college applications. She worked collaboratively with me hours on end and resolve any writer's block I faced. She was able to help me bring my stories to life and help me write phenomenal essays for all of my colleges. I am eternally grateful for her support, guidance, and positive attitude.

~Allison Monroe

With the whole world turned upside down, the college application process has become more daunting. Carolyn knows what these schools are looking for but most importantly, she has the ability to find out what makes her clients tick. The Common App essay has become the most important component of the process this year. My daughter loved working with Carolyn-she felt so comfortable brainstorming with her to find just the right topic to write about to really reveal who she is. As a parent, I felt overwhelmed by the college process until Carolyn just literally simplified it for us. She is an amazing communicator & my daughter truly felt comfortable working with her. My daughter is currently attending Cornell University & loving it.

~Pamela Cali

Carolyn was a life-saver working tirelessly with us in a very compressed time frame. She was a great communicator with my son at a very stressful time for him. She was professional, insightful and extremely organized during a very chaotic process for parents who were first-timers because this was our oldest child.

~Dave Gardi

Carolyn deftly guided my two daughters through the process of college entrance exam prep, college essay edits, college selection as well as at different points throughout their undergraduate years for a variety of challenges. My girls are very different in terms of learning styles and personality and Carolyn worked successfully with both. Her calm, unassuming nature was welcome and I appreciated how she never took over but led the girls in the right direction, challenging them while allowing them to find the solution and conquer the particular issue. Carolyn does her homework, stays abreast of the “market” and rapidly challenging environments while researching individual universities and their programs so that she can provide a comprehensive and accurate portrait for her clients. When my third daughter is ready for college, I’ll be calling Carolyn at Not So Common Application Services!

~Delia Serrano

Carolyn, I will NEVER be able to thank you enough for sharing your valuable expertise and time with Lauren. You have made my life IMMENSELY easier!!!! Pam C. Brielle, NJ

Thank you Carolyn Johnson for guiding my son thru the essay writing process. After months of procrastination, writing block, stress and nagging, he finally got it done. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome!

~ Aparna Mulchandani

After one session with Carolyn at NotSoCommonApplication, my son brainstormed, completed and proofread his entire Common Application essay. It was painless and the essay was just perfect. Thank you!

~ Janet Freitag, Ramsey, NJ

Yes, Michael is doing great at Princeton. Thanks for helping to get him to realize his potential!

~ Didier

I got into Rice, William and Mary and Stony Brook. Going to Rice. Thank you so much and I am very grateful for all your help. You kept me organized and helped this chemistry student write superb essays.

~ Aaron C.

Just got into Cooper Union! I’m so happy with the way you helped me develop my essays and put the application together. This would not have been possible without your help.

~ E.M., NY

I know Evan has told you he was accepted to The Cooper Union (!). He is thrilled and excited for his future. As a parent it is a gift to know he is going forward in his studies to an institution that he has been striving to attend because it is where he feels he will flourish academically and socially. I want to thank you for your hard work and dedication. Your support meant a great deal to our family. Thank you so much.

~ Kathy

Thank you so much, Carolyn, for teaching Jose how to advocate for himself and for making BC truly accessible for him.

~ HS Guidance Counselor

My son just received admissions to two of his top college choices with generous scholarship offers thanks to your help with his essay.

~ Alice, Queens, NY

Thank you very much for your very helpful service at such a late notice. Having you check over and perfect my essay gave me the confidence I needed to finally submit my applications! I couldn’t have done it without you!

~ Grace Crockett, Queens, NY

Carolyn was a good match for my son – she helped him to improve both his SAT and ACT scores and was willing to work around a busy soccer schedule.

~ Rose, Suffern, NY

My son had Carolyn as a SAT tutor. She taught him the strategies needed to improve his score by over 200 points, ensuring his placement in his desired school, and earning him an academic scholarship of a third of the tuition! Highly recommend!

~ Colleen Stryker, NY

In a short amount of time, Carolyn helped me brainstorm really great ideas for my essay. With her guidance, the essay was edited and the end result was awesome!

~ Jack E., Ramsey, NJ

Carolyn’s insight and perspective in the college application process is relevant, valuable, and right on target. Her caring, non-judgemental demeanor with the applicants is refreshing. She is available practically on-call. I highly recommend Carolyn for both test prep, essay/supplemental question editing and strategy and general application counseling.

~ Delia Serrano